Most of us know Toyota as a car manufacturer. What we may not know that they are also into robotics and automation. In 2005, the Japanese multinational announced a project called "Partner Robot." It was the beginning of the switch from industrial robots (which they were making since the 1970s) to household machines. Recently, they have reached a significant milestone in the project with a successful in-home trial of HSR (Human Support Robot) in a war veteran's home in North America. The bot helps people with disabilities carry out their day-to-day activities independently. It was first introduced in 2012.

A tablet interface is provided to interact with HSR. It can be commanded to open doors and fetch water bottles.

The in-home trial is done with Romulo Camargo aka Romy. He is a decorated US war veteran. He was posted in Afghanistan and is paralyzed from the neck down.

"When they opened the box, and I saw the robot, I figured we would unfold the next chapter in human support robots helping people with disabilities – like this research is going to change the world," says Romy.